Arsenic pollution

Introduction: In our day to day life we are experiencing new kind of problem. Our environment is facing new type of pollution. Arsenic pollution is one of them. When the presence of arsenic in water is higher than the acceptable quantity, it is called arsenic. It is one of biggest problem in Bangladesh. Arsenic pollution is causing much harm to Bangladesh. The number of arsenic affected people is increasing day by day.

Detection of arsenic in Bangladesh: Arsenic was first detected in Bangladesh in 1984. During that period about 2500 shallow tube-wells were tested in 34 districts out of which each and every tube-well was detected arsenic polluted. Another-survey conducted jointly by the DPHL (Development of Public Health Engineering) and British Geological Survey 2000 showed that more that 90% of the shallow tube-wells in the most seriously arsenic polluted areas produced contaminated water exceeding .05 mg/l of arsenic. It also marked that the most affected area in Bangladesh is North Bengal.

Harmful effect of arsenic: Thousands of people in Bangladesh are suffering from arsenic poisoning and more are being affected every day. Poison by arsenic is a slow process. It is due to a gradual build-up of the poison in the human body. Eventually people start to show symptoms and become unwell. It causes sore in the finger or in any other part of the body. Sometimes the sore turns into gangrene and then to cancer. It also affects different parts of the human body like liver, kidney, heart, stomach, skin etc. Arsenic poisoning also causes irritation and serious burning of skins, hair falling, cough etc.

Medical treatment: At present there is no medical treatment or medical that can prevent any disease caused by arsenic sis. Since there is no effective cure, preventive measures should be taken properly. Arsenic contamination can be mitigated to a large extent if the following preventive measures are adopted:

(a) Creating public awareness: (i) The people are to be made conscious of the harmful effect of the arsenic poisoning.   

(ii) They are to give knowledge of the symptoms of arsenic contamination and places where they can get proper treatment.  

(b) Regular surveying: In order to have the clear conception regarding arsenic pollution, regular survey should be done although the country. All the tube-wells should be tested to separate the safe from the unsafe tube-wells should be painted green and unsafe ones should be painted red.

Ensuring safe drinking water: In order to ensure to supply of pure drinking water, more deep tube-wells should be installed because deep tube-wells are free from arsenic and bacteria’s. But they will have to be tested in the future to ensure that it is still the case. Surface water in ponds and river is a potential source of arsenic-free water. But most surface water in our country is heavily polluted with dangerous bacteria. So, no surface water should be used without some form of treatment. Rain water should be collected for drinking in a bacteria free container. Water need not to be boiled to remove arsenic because boiling does not remove arsenic. Healthy balanced diet containing fish and vegetables should be taken. Food containing vitamin A, C and E should be taken.

Conclusion: It is high time we found out the cause of arsenic pollution and put our all out efforts to fight this public-hazard before it takes a serious turn.